With only one week remaining before Republicans cast their vote in Florida’s Republican Primary, a new Florida Chamber of Commerce poll shows presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in a dead heat race among Florida Republicans.

“Following the South Carolina primary, Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich arrive in Florida and begin the final week before Florida’s January 31 primary at a dead even heat – 33% each. Rick Santorum is in third place with 10% followed by Ron Paul with 6%,” said Marian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “It’s clear that both candidates need to aggressively campaign for votes in Florida.”

The poll of 504 registered Republicans was conducted January 22-23, 2012 by Cherry Communications and has a 4.4% +/- margin of error with a 95% confidence level.

The same poll also revealed that Governor Scott’s job approval rating is rising among members of his party – an indication that his efforts to reduce Florida’s unemployment rate by 2.2% and create more than 141,000 new jobs since he took office are resonating among Floridians.

“Republicans give Governor Scott a favorability rating of 67% favorable to 18% unfavorable, yet when it comes to his job performance, he receives a 71% approval and 15% disapproval rating,” Johnson explained.

Meanwhile, a new We Ask America poll in Florida shows Romney leading his GOP presidential rivals with 34%, followed by Gingrich at 32%, Santorum at 9% and Paul at 8%.

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